What is the 100-day drive launched by the Centre for dividend claims and KYC updates?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 100-day initiative to reclaim unclaimed dividends.
- Encourages updates of KYC and nomination details.
- Promotes awareness among shareholders.
- Facilitates direct dividend payouts.
- Supports financial literacy initiatives.
New Delhi, July 31 (NationPress) - The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), operating under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, has initiated a 100-day initiative named 'Saksham Niveshak,' scheduled from July 28 to November 6.
This nationwide campaign seeks to empower shareholders by raising awareness about unclaimed dividends maintained by companies and assisting them in the process of updating their KYC and nomination information to reclaim their rightful dividends, as stated by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
The initiative encourages companies to actively engage with their shareholders, aiding them in recovering unclaimed dividends and ensuring the regular receipt of dividends by updating essential records. Timely action from shareholders will guarantee that their dividends and underlying shares are not transferred to IEPFA.
Among the primary goals of the “Saksham Niveshak” Campaign are to facilitate the resolution of issues related to unclaimed dividends held by companies, support KYC and nomination updates for shareholders, and ensure direct dividend distributions from companies to legitimate investors.
The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), established under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, is dedicated to enhancing financial literacy, safeguarding investor interests, and protecting unclaimed dividends and shares.
Through initiatives such as Niveshak Didi, Niveshak Panchayat, and Niveshak Shivir, IEPFA aims to create a financially informed and empowered investor community across the nation.
Earlier this month, the Department of Posts (DoP) partnered with the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) to streamline KYC (Know Your Customer) verification for around 24.13 crore mutual fund investors.
This encompasses 19.04 crore folios in Equity, Hybrid, and Solution-Oriented Schemes, as per AMFI data from June 30.
With a remarkable year-over-year increase of approximately 4 million new investors in FY23, 6.9 million in FY24, and 9.7 million in FY25, this pivotal agreement will benefit all Asset Management Companies (AMCs) under AMFI by ensuring smooth KYC compliance for their extensive and expanding investor base, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and financial inclusion throughout India.